DNSFetch

How to change DNS records

The dangerous part is not the form. It is editing the wrong host, or the right host at the wrong provider, with a day-long TTL still in the wild.

  1. Confirm authority. NS lookup must list the provider whose panel you have open.
  2. Snapshot. Run ALL records and save the table. You want a rollback.
  3. Lower TTL on the records you will touch, wait out the previous TTL. TTL.
  4. Prepare the destination. New host answers on the future IP; new mail provider has mailboxes and DKIM.
  5. Change one name. Apex and www are two changes. MX is a third. Do not combine them on a Friday unless you like pagers.
  6. Verify with DNSFetch and a second resolver (dig @1.1.1.1).
  7. Raise TTL when traffic looks right.

For NS changes, update records at the new host first (copy the zone), then switch nameservers at the registrar, then keep the old host up until TTLs die. For mail, read MX and authentication so SPF/DKIM move with the MX.